Category: Contemporary Romance

Full Heat by Carla Swafford

Posted July 24, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Full Heat
Series: Brothers of Mayhem #2
Author: Carla Swafford
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MC Romance
Published: July 19, 2016
Publisher: Random House Publishing – Loveswept
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Forget shining armor. Motorcycle shop owner Mary Jane Parker could use a knight in black leather right about now. A local gang has been extorting her for protection money, and standing her ground would be a lot easier with the Brothers of Mayhem at her back. She just needs to convince the club’s new president to take the job. The powerful, brooding biker claims he’s not interested—but if his version of tough love is supposed to be punishment, Mary Jane would gladly misbehave for the rest of her life.

Storm Ryder has no interest in rescuing anyone but himself. He spent three agonizing years in prison, and there’s no way in hell he’s going back, not over a spoiled rich girl who’s flirting with trouble. So why does he find himself craving Mary Jane’s lips—and holding her close when he should be pushing her away? Deep down in his tortured soul, Storm knows she’ll be there for him. And when Mary Jane needs him most, he’ll find the courage to give her everything he’s got.

Read on for my thoughts on Full Heat. No true spoilers, promise.

The Goodbye Ride by Lily Malone

Posted July 24, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Goodbye Ride
Series:
Author: Lily Malone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 1, 2016 (Originally May 17, 2013)
Publisher: Escape Publishing – Harlequin Enterprises Australia
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Olivia Murphy is a woman on a mission. The Ducati motorbike that once belonged to her brother has come up for re-sale. Liv wants to buy the precious bike, and she needs the ink dry on the paperwork before the approaching long weekend, when tourists with fat wallets will descend on her hometown of Hahndorf.

Only one person stands in her way; and she’s just tripped and fallen at his feet…

Owen Carson likes rare and beautiful things and he has the Ducati in his sights. Then Liv literally falls into his path, and he finds his heart captured by beauty of a very different kind.

How far will Liv go to make the motorbike hers? Can a viticulturalist fall for a man who prefers beer? And will a long weekend among the grape vines be long enough for Owen to convince Liv he’s interested in more than just a holiday fling?

Read on for my thoughts on The Goodbye Ride. No true spoilers, promise.

Her Survivor by Vonnie Davis

Posted July 23, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Title: Her Survivor
Series: Black Eagle Ops #1
Author: Vonnie Davis
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military Romance
Published: July 19, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Navy SEAL Dustin Frank can handle physical pain; it’s his soul that needs mending. After losing part of his leg in an explosion, the panic triggered by his PTSD nearly drives him over the edge. So Dustin retreats to the Eagle Ridge Ranch, a charming hideaway tucked into the Hill Country of Texas. There he finds solace in the arms of a shy beauty who reawakens desires he thought he’d lost forever—and who makes him want to lose control, just when he needs it most.

Kelcee Todd sees beyond Dustin’s scars to the real man beneath: fiercely protective, strong yet tender. She wants nothing more than to feel his battle-hardened hands on her body. However, Kelcee is not the ordinary small-town girl she appears to be. Her brother is a killer with ties to the Russian mob, and after her testimony put him in prison, he’s out and eager for revenge. Now Dustin is her best defense, even if it could cost him everything. Kelcee could never ask him to make that sacrifice . . . but she can’t stop him, either.

Read on for my thoughts on Her Survivor. No true spoilers, promise.

Hot On His Heels by Margo Bond Collins

Posted July 22, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Hot On His Heels
Series: What Happens In Vegas #16
Author: Margo Bond Collins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 18, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Lovestruck
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

He’s exactly who she’s looking for…she just doesn’t know it yet.

Sadie Quinn is at the romance readers’ convention for one reason only: to find editor Jocelyn Dellarivier. Which she could do if she didn’t keep running into the most frustrating, gorgeous man ever. To make matters worse, she just won a contest and a date with him is the prize.

Jake Blaine could kill his boss for rigging the contest, but now he’s face to face with the one woman who could expose his alter ego. He’s not about to leave, but he can’t tell Sadie he’s the editor she’s looking for. But even though he’s playing with fire, Jake can’t seem to stay away. And after a night with the raven-haired beauty, he’s not sure he wants to.

Read on for my thoughts on Hot On His Heels. No true spoilers, promise.

Totally, Sweetly, Irrevocably by Kira Archer

Posted July 22, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Totally, Sweetly, Irrevocably
Series: Sweet Love #2
Author: Kira Archer
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 18, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Lovestruck
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When Officer Rick Boyd answers a call about a peeping Tom, he doesn’t expect to find a gorgeous woman holding the binoculars. But Gina Silvano’s no peeping Tom, and she can catch her cupcake truck’s kinky vandals herself, thank you very much. No sexy cops required.

No matter how hot their stakeouts, by-the-book Officer Boyd can’t see a future with a dangerous, rule-breaking wild-child who despises the law. He’s never felt more alive, though, and expunging her from his heart might be impossible.

But loving each other might cost them more than they are able to give.

Read on for my thoughts on Totally, Sweetly, Irrevocably. No true spoilers, promise.

Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt

Posted July 15, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Necessary Risk
Series: Bodyguard #1
Author: Tara Wyatt
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Former child star Sierra Blake is making a stunning Hollywood comeback—and attracting a scary amount of attention. When her home is vandalized and her safety threatened, she knows it’s time to bring in the professionals. But from the moment she sets eyes on her indecently sexy new bodyguard, Sean Owens, Sierra’s thoughts are anything but professional…

Few things in this world scare Sean—until he realizes he’s in serious danger of losing his heart to his new client. No matter how much he wants to, Sean won’t let his feelings for the smart and gorgeous Sierra get in the way of doing his job. Because as the attacks against her escalate, crossing the line between business and pleasure could get them both killed.

Read on for my thoughts on Necessary Risk. No true spoilers, promise.

Taking The Score by Kate Meader

Posted July 15, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Taking The Score
Series: Tall, Dark and Texan #2
Author: Kate Meader
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 15, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Brazen
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

His office temptation is now his full-blown fantasy…

Paying down her sister’s debts has left Emma Strickland with little more than the thrift store suit on her back. And as if the suckfest couldn’t get worse, she’s forced to moonlight as a waitress to support herself and her cat. At a strip club. Her uptight, sexy-as-hell boss Brody Kane can never find out.

Texas property tycoon Brody Kane hired Emma for her spreadsheet skills, but her prim and proper demeanor sealed the deal. There’s no room in his life for a sexy distraction … and yet, he can’t stop lusting after the delicious Ms. Strickland. And then he takes an important client to a Chicago strip club and gets the worst lap dance in adult entertainment history. From Emma.

Now that he knows his office good girl has a naughty streak, Brody makes it his mission to uncover her secrets, one steamy, illicit, over-the-desk encounter at a time. But Emma is hiding more than her side job, and her final secret could end up destroying them both.

Read on for my thoughts on Taking The Score. No true spoilers, promise.

The Valentine Gamble (Texas Bachelor) by Katherine Garbera & Eve Gaddy

Posted July 14, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: The Valentine Gamble
Series: Whiskey River #6
Author: Katherine Garbera & Eve Gaddy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 3, 2016
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Johnny Gamble isn’t afraid of anything. Except Fiona Lannigan’s effect on him. It’s not just that she sees through his love ‘em and leave ‘em ways, she’s also his partner in Whiskey River’s most prestigious law firm. He believes she deserves better than him until they “matched” at the annual Valentine’s Day dance and the night turns into one of the most romantic of his life. Convincing him that he’s found a woman he doesn’t want to leave.

Fiona is all for a good time with Johnny. There have been sparks between them from the beginning, but more than one night between the sheets isn’t in the cards. Or so she thinks, until Johnny turns on the romance.

Can Johnny convince Fiona that this is one Valentine’s Gamble worth taking?

Read on for my thoughts on The Valentine Gamble. No true spoilers, promise.

*Please note: This title, the series, the titles of the stories in the series and the covers have all undergone a transformation. The stories within the new covers with new titles remains the same.

Anything But Love by Abigail Strom

Posted July 13, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Anything But Love
Series:
Author: Abigail Strom
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 12, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Socialite Jessica Bullock can’t catch a break. After a lifetime of chasing perfection, hoping to please her parents, all her hard work is set to pay off. But on her wedding day, her fiancé leaves her high and dry. Humiliated, she finds her calm, cool facade beginning to crumble…until an unexpected wedding guest, her childhood best friend and crush, offers to help her pick up the pieces.

Never in his wildest dreams would Ben Taggart have imagined he’d be escorting Jessica on her honeymoon to Bermuda. Although they haven’t seen each other in years, he can’t leave her to fall apart. Agreeing to keep things platonic, they vow to make the most of their spontaneous vacation—until an unplanned kiss sparks a powerful passion.

They tell themselves that what happens in Bermuda will stay in Bermuda. But when old secrets are revealed and new feelings ignite, will Ben and Jessica be able to leave their romance behind?

Read on for my thoughts on Anything But Love. No true spoilers, promise.

Test Drive by Marie Harte

Posted July 11, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Test Drive
Series: Body Shop Bad Boys #2
Author: Marie Harte
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 7, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

GET TO KNOW THE BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Johnny, Foley, Sam, and Lou are the rough and tumble mechanics of Webster’s Garage. These reformed bad boys are used to living fast, but it’s the women in their lives who take them from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.

JOHNNY
Johnny Devlin’s a charmer with a checkered past. He has had his eye on scorching-hot bartender Lara Valley for ages, but she’s rejected him more than once. That doesn’t mean he won’t come to her aid when some dirt-bag mauls her. When she asks him on a date as a no-strings-attached thank you, he can’t say no. And then he’s saying nothing but hell, yes.

Read on for my thoughts on Test Drive. No true spoilers, promise.

Black Hills Baby by Debra Salonen

Posted July 11, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Black Hills Baby
Series: Black Hills Rendezvous #1
Author: Debra Salonen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 29, 2016
Publisher: Loner Llama Press
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle Edition
Cover Description:

When Hollywood heart-throb Cooper Lindstrom needs money to get his late mother’s homicidal bookie off his back, he jumps at the lifeline Black Hills postmaster Libby McGannon tosses his way. In Cooper’s mind, their arrangement is simple: his sperm in trade for a share in her family’s gold mine. But the real pay off is her story–the one he plans to turn into a hit sitcom that will push him back on top.

The hit show Coop saw coming. Love? Completely blindsided him.

And the baby? Who could have guessed Cooper wanted to be a father? Too bad Libby–the woman he’s fallen hard for–might never forgive him for turning her life into a joke for worldwide consumption. Not to mention the changes he’s brought to the small Black Hills community of Sentinel Pass, where happily-ever-after isn’t left to chance.

Read on for m y thoughts on Black Hills Baby. No true spoilers, promise.

Royal Games by Sariah Wilson

Posted July 10, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Royal Games
Series: The Royals of Monterra #3
Author: Sariah Wilson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 5, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Genesis Kelley didn’t just get her heart broken. The aspiring veterinarian had it crushed in front of millions of viewers on the dating reality show Marry Me. Now, just as she’s getting her life and dignity back together, her royal heart breaker, Prince Rafael of Monterra, has landed in Frog Hollow, Iowa. And he’s renting out her aunt’s guest cottage.

Deceiving TV audiences for his brother’s sake cost Rafe the girl of his dreams. But he’s going to fix it, even if it means moving from his mountain-kingdom home to small-town Iowa. A prince doesn’t give up on his rightful princess—especially once he realizes Genesis is in deeper danger than she knows.

Between fixing her truck, whisking her off to Monterra for a whirlwind date, and charming the entire town, Rafe is thawing the ice around Genesis’s heart. Will it be enough to earn back her trust, protect her from her past—and sweep her into a real-life fairy tale?

Read on for my thoughts on Royal Games. No true spoilers, promise.

Echoes Of The Heart by Stacey A. Purcell

Posted July 7, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Echoes of the Heart
Series: Esterloch #1
Author: Stacey A. Purcell
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 8, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle Edition
Cover Description:

Stuck in upstate New York to work off a humiliating arrest, Dr. Calista Montgomery is forced to deal with the disdain of arrogant sheriff Jack Benfield—and their undeniable attraction.

GOING UNDER

For Dr. Calista Montgomery, losing her soldier husband was like diving into a cold dark sea, and the events at his funeral swept her farther from shore. Crushed by the lies, Cali crawls into a bottle and flees all she knows. Inebriated and drifting aimlessly, she winds up in Esterloch, New York, where she’s arrested and hits bottom. Offered a chance to expunge her record, she accepts the conditions…but the real challenge is keeping herself safe from the arrogant, gorgeous and commanding sheriff.

FOR THE LAST TIME

Sheriff Jack Benfield hates drunks. They’re selfish, manipulative, and they break hearts, and his is no exception. He saw the damage inflicted upon his family, so he has no patience for any of them, not even the beautiful Dr. Montgomery. His body, however, has different ideas, and soon two desperate souls will discover that some breaks make us stronger—and sometimes we must drown before we learn how to breathe.

Read on for my thoughts on Echoes of the Heart. No true spoilers, promise.

Always My Girl by Samantha Chase

Posted July 5, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Always My Girl
Series: The Shaughnessy Brothers #3
Author: Samantha Chase
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sometimes the love that’s closest to you is the hardest to see.

Quinn Shaughnessy’s two older brothers have found their true loves … but Quinn’s not about to join that parade. Nope, as he tells his best friend Anna, there’s a lot more to life than getting tied down to one person. He’s positive tomboy Anna will be on his side – except she’s inexplicably developing other interests – even dating! Suddenly Quinn is seeing Anna in a very different light.

Quinn has been Anna’s buddy since they were both five years old. She can tell him anything – except the one big secret she’s been hiding for years – that she’s fallen in love with him. Now Anna is determined to make a life for herself that doesn’t include pining for Quinn. Falling in love with your best friend? Easy. Telling them how you really feel? Impossible.

Read on for my thoughts on Always My Girl. No true spoilers, promise.

On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

Posted July 4, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: On Lone Star Trail
Series: Texas Crossroads #3
Author: Amanda Cabot
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Published: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Revel
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

If there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. But as she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort, a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash in front of her.

When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He’s spent the past year wandering the country on a motorcycle, trying not to think about his future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.

Can this woman without a future and this man running from his past find romance in the present? Or are they too tied to the way life used to be?

Read on for my thoughts on On Lone Star Trail. No true spoilers, promise.